Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?” Matthew 16: 24-26 (See also Mark 10: 17-22 and Luke 9: 57-62!). Jesus didn’t mince words when explaining what following Him would mean. Reflecting on this fact, Christian musician, Bryan Sirchio, wrote a song called “Follow Me (87 times),” the chorus of which goes...

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:12-15. At the end of a spiritual retreat I attended some years ago, the participants were asked to share the most significant insights they had gained over the course of the weekend. One woman’s reflection has stayed with me ever since

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.” Philippians 3:10 (Better yet, read all of Chapter 3!). The career of Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee and persecutor of the early Church, took a dramatic detour when he met the living Lord on the road to Damascus. From that day on everything that he had previously built his life upon, all the accomplishments by which he defined himself, became meaningless.